John Baker News

Catching continuity won't be an issue when the Marlins head into Spring Training.

Ronny Paulino agreed to a contract, meaning he'll return to share catching duties in 2010 with John Baker.

Relievers Matt Lindstrom and Renyel Pinto likely are out the door, but the guys they threw to last season appear to be staying put.

The free-agency floodgates will swing open on Friday, and though the Marlins consistently sport one of the lowest payrolls in the Majors, they can factor in, too.

I thought Ronny Paulino was really good for the Marlins this year. Is he a free agent? If so, what will the Marlins do about another catcher? -- Milton P., Miami Paulino will be entering arbitration in 2010, and after he made $440,000 this season, he will be in line to perhaps double his salary next year.

The sheer arrogance of it is stunning even for Jeffrey Loria. The owner of the Florida Marlins must expect baseball miracles, and he must expect them to come at a bargain-basement price.

During a season in which the Marlins have endured so many inconsistencies, one constant has been John Baker behind the plate.

Wed Sept 30, 2009 5:55am EDT - Brian McCann tags out the Marlins' John Baker as he tries to score from first.

From eight scoreless innings his last time out to eight walks this time. Anibal Sanchez's topsy-turvy season continued Monday at Turner Field, where he came one base on balls shy of matching the franchise record in yet another crippling Marlins loss.

The way the two players have performed, coupled with their modest salaries, it's unlikely either of them are going anywhere in 2010.

Brett Carroll capped a wild ninth inning in Wednesday's 7-6 Marlins win over the Phillies when he delivered a game-winning pinch-hit single with two outs off closer Brad Lidge, but things had already gotten crazy a few minutes earlier.

With a full count on Brandon Phillips, no outs and a runner on first in the eighth Friday, John Baker called for a Brendan Donnelly slider.

Catcher John Baker was terrified. Fans were stupefied. Umpires were mystified. Everyone was still buzzing Saturday about a bewildering pitch thrown the night before by Marlins reliever Brendan Donnelly, one that left onlookers scratching their heads.

With the front office working the phones to discuss possible trades aimed at upgrading the roster, the Marlins went about business with the one they have -- and lost.

John Baker's RBI single highlighted Florida's four-run rally in the ninth inning on Friday night, and the Marlins snapped their nine-game losing streak in Cincinnati with a 4-3 victory over a Reds team that had been previously perfect at holding such leads.

Patience and persistence have helped John Baker through the years. The 28-year-old Marlins catcher put 6 1/2 years of Minor League service in before getting his MLB break last July.

Cody Ross finished 3-for-4 with two RBI as Florida used an early burst of offense to top St.

John Baker handles the throw as Skip Schumaker scores in the background on a two-run triple by Julio Lugo during the fourth inning.

The Marlins joined the rest of Major League Baseball on Friday, when they honored one of the most memorable -- and tragic -- days in American history.

's first pitch produced an inning-ending double play. His last pitch did the same.